Thorpe Schools Clear Changes In Curriculum

Policy and curriculum matters were the subject of much Jim Thorpe School Board discussion last night.

Revised graduation requirements, beginning with students in the 1986 graduating class, were approved with changes in several areas.

Under the new policy, students who complete General Education Development program requirements may receive a school district diploma if they desire, but will not be allowed to attend graduation ceremonies as members of a graduating class. They will receive their diplomas, marked as GED diplomas, through the superintendent's office.

Only those students who successfully complete the requirements for graduation will be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies, excluding students who previously made up classes or missed credits during the district's summer school program and attended ceremonies.

Minimum graduation requirements will remain at 24 credits in Grades 9-12, with the major changes falling in the amount of credits required in mathematics and science.

Students in the academic-college preparatory, commercial-business education, general and vocational-technical fields are all required to have four credits in English and social studies in each of their four years at the high school, but the number of credits for mathematics and science have been increased for the commercial-business and vo-tech students.

In 1986, commercial-business education and the vo-tech students will be required to have two credits each in math and science, with the number increasing to three credits with the 1987 class.

The differences are made up by decreasing the number of electives the commercial-business students will be required to take, and by decreasing the number of credits that vo-tech students will take in their major at the vo- tech school.

In keeping with Chapter VI state vo-tech requirements, the students will also be completing their math and science requirements in the vo-tech school instead of their home school.

Board member John Gunsser, chairman of the policy, personnel and curriculum committee who introduced the revisions to the board, said that they were designed because of past difficulties with "finish line graduation problems."

James Pfingstler, high school principal, noted that 32 certified letters were mailed to parents of students deficient in some areas that could affect their June graduation. If parents have questions on the status of their children regarding graduation, they are asked to call the high school office, (717) 325-3663.

In other curriculum moves, the board unanimously agreed to drop their sponsorship of a cooperative education program in the district and approved the summer school program.

The cooperative education program, currently supervised by Paul Mazzocchi, a district guidance counselor, would have to be administered under strict state guidelines beginning with the 1985-86 school term if it were maintained, according to Thomas Sanguiliano, acting superintendent.

"It is physically impossible for Mr. Mazzocchi to handle this responsibility in addition to his other duties," he said, adding that the state will also require all supervisors to have special certification, which Mazzocchi does not have.

Pfingstler said that there are currently two high school students participating in the program, which sends students to job sites for work experience for part of the school day, and that four have indicated an interest for next year.

A remedial summer school program for students in grades 7-12 to make up credits in English, math, social studies, health and science was approved.

Classes will be held 8 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday from July 8 through July 26 for a maximum of 30 hours. Students will be allowed to take two courses at a cost of $60 a class for in-district students and $100 a course for those residing outside of the district.

Instructors will be chosen on the basis of availability, certification and summer school teaching experience, and will be paid $12 an hour. Teachers will also receive two hours of preparation time for a total teaching assignment of 32 hours for $384.

Daniel Novey, a teacher in the high school who served as basketball coach for nine years until he was not re-hired by the board at a meeting earlier this month, received the support of about 50 of his fellow teachers, as well as a coach from another school in the Schuylkill League.

Novey's re-hiring was defeated on a surprise 4-3 vote at the previous board meeting, despite the fact that nothing was said to the coach concerning his performance when he met in March with most of the directors to discuss the past season and air any problems.

Board member Louis Mueller, one of Novey's most out-spoken supporters, read a letter which he received from Pete Heard, head basketball coach at Schuylkill Haven High School, a rival team in the league which won the District 11 Class A championship the past two years.

Heard praised Novey's actions and conduct as a coach, teacher and person, terming him, "one of the best young coaches in the area."

"Dan Novey earned the respect of all who are associated with winning basketball at Schuylkill Haven," Heard wrote, adding that he was a brilliant strategist and basketball statistician, a good teacher and a personable and approachable person.

Novey's support from his fellow teachers came in the form of a petition submitted to the board containing the names of about 50 faculty members and other district personnel.

The petition stated that those signing it had "never known Novey to be anything but a true professional" and requested that he be reinstated.

No action was taken or comments offered on either correspondence, but they were both placed into the minutes.